Cost of Living in Cebu

Why anyone would make a decision to move to another country ( major life change ) without first visiting for a respectable amount of time , is ludicrous !!? Philippines is not for everyone. It won't work for those intending on hustling for a living, taking advantage of vulnerable persons, or doing crimes. I have visited many islands over 20 years and 24 vacations from 2 weeks to a month. " It ain't the Ritz " unless you're loaded financially, but then why not Hawaaii ? I've got nothing but positive things to say, especially I eventually married a Filipina and I have family there. My dream is to retire there with a house & lot, car & bike , and friends and family. It works for me, but I love island life, Filipino people and cost of living there is unbeatable. Quality of life ! If I was broke or up to no good, it wouldn't be attractive to me. So to all who give negative feedback.....don't go back......spend your free time warning other people like yourself! As for me, I will be on a chair at the beach,feet in water- palm tree overhead, with an umbrella drink in my hand being entertained by my Filipino brothers and sisters. Amen

Good point " AMERICANO " I agree.Like you I've traveled extensively actually around the world twice.Everyone visits countries for different reasons obviously.Sounds like the ones whining about hating women in the Philippines got their bells rung financially lol.Theres only one reason I've traveled extensively around the world,to enhance my financial portfolio through great interest returns on my money.

I briefly passed through Cebu in my travels in route to Bejjing.I was only there for one day.Just enough time to dump $15k USD into the main bank in Cebu getting a prime interest rate of 14% to the dollar for a one year deposit.I've done this in Manila also including China, Thailand, Vietnam,and Cambodia for the past 25 plus years." BREAKING NEWS " all of Asia is 3rd world just as Bulgaria, Latvia, Macedonia,Serbia,Albania,Georgia and Lithuania is in Eastern Europe are.Seems to me there's alot of negative things being said about Cebu on this thread,but to each their own.Anyone who would actually live in Any part of Asia or Eastern Europe is brainless.Depositing hefty amounts of money in Colombia, Brazil, Argentina,Peru, Dominican Republic,and Bolivia to get high interest rates on my USD has made me a millionaire many times over,a fact.Few if any likes Westerners around the world but it's never phased me in the least.I'll take those 12 to 14% returns on my money anytime.

That's what I'm saying. The Philippines is a 3rd world asylum with 1st world pricing. I don't wish this experience on my worst enemy. Look before you leap.

I was in cebu may 2018 had a wonderful time stayed at Mandarin in cebu for a week
I stayed in Bohol for a few days ,I must say I'm impressed and was treated great by all I've met never met any people more friendly and hospitable
I will go again and retire there in a few years

Really no point in living in Cebu as a single guy. Locals don't want you there bc of rampant sex tourism, nightlife is going down the drain, girls are ugly and have adopted this fake western attitude. Just an all around shitty environment. So many better places to choose compared to this dump.

People are too proud of this shitty city, very arrogant while at the same time being resentful of westerners. Crappy food, uninspiring local culture.The on ly thing worth coming here for has taken a sharp nosedive.

That's right. Everything in the Philippines is bad. The only country worth visiting in the world is Thailand. I have a nice condo in Chang Mai. You can live there for free with free utilities. How's that for a deal?

I have to agree with kyle, they even have to lie with age with you. what a joke! this country has bad culture .

I'm talking to a girl that lives in lapu lapu she says everything is expensive there is this tru?

Cebu is a great place to visit , live or retire. The cost of living is cheap compaired to the western world. There are parts of the city that are not safe. But you can avoid them. The people are friendly . You can find that most speak English . They have a rich culture.

To XPAT...Traveler50yrs

Not sure which part of the globe you came from mate. The way you describe the Philippines or perhaps you are referring to Cebu in particular is pathetic. It inly shows that you are not a traveler and lacks proper education. I suppose you came from the "underworld" and not from a civilized, peace loving world!!!!

When you come to the Philippines ..Trust no one...believe no one....keep you hands on your pockets..do not look like you have money...don't ask for any help from one because no one cares about you or anything...also don't get sick here and don't call police for anything again no one cares..if your from a 3rd world country or running away for a place to hide this is a good place..your on your own here...no matter where you live..IT Park OR Ayala,Busay, Maria Luisa,dirty streets and poor people, and ...NO NICE BEACHES.....just a poor country...in or around the city you have squatters and bad areas...if you live here or stay any amount of time be sure it has armed guards..NOT A JOKE...if you can Take care of yourself..Hells Angels Biker Type..you will have no problem..enjoy Cebu and the Philipplines.....If your a Foreigner Here Your a Target

im looking at these numbers and some do not add up. ive never had an electric bill under 6,00" peso in the entire almost 4 years ive been in the philippines, i have two aircons with ac running 12 hours a day on average afternoon through 4am throughout the week but in the summer wow it could run 24/7 with some of the city heat. in cebu i average 8,900 normally in the summer closer to 11k. in manila in a 40m apartment i averaged around 6,000 with my highest being 9000 in the summer. water anywhere from 100 to 400 peso. i have lived in both manila and cebu long term similar places, manila in costs for me is cheaper but if your a city person. in cebu i feel u need at least a motor bike where as in manila its very easy to figure out public transpo and safe in my opinion on the mrt and lrt. accordibg to this site cebu is 2% more expensive than manila i would go as far to say cebu is closer to 10% more. i think do to more vacationers in cebu some resort areas are very high priced even for locals

Most of the highest price rates are not even close, I have never had less then 8,000peso electric bill, and that is just bedroom new aircon. If you want to live decent in Cebu you need $2,000 a month to live on if you want to live normal, as the things we westerns like and comfort do cost more, sometimes more than the states.

Can anyone tell me the average cost of leasing a small farm for Vegetable growing, rearing pigs and chickens.

I am trying to work out a rule of thumb

Labangon street side property can get pricy. V. Rama, Katipunan, Tres De Abril, all major routes are overpriced. P10k-P25k per sqm. Look at it from the perspective of a ROI. Is it an investment? If so how many in the market will be able to buy it from you. And more importan beware the capital gains, etc etc. Been there done that ( in Labangon), Its expensive.

To Mike David,

Please stop making false statements regarding your business proposal, for there was never one! We don't accommodate your kind here in Cebu and globally. We don't tolerate opportunist such as you. Do you know the word "scam"? That is you, a scammer. Get lost and live these poor people alone. Get a job.

Places to Live and Retire in the World – Cebu, Philippines
http://www.lerumba.com/RealEstate/places-to-live-and-retire-in-the-world-cebu-philippines-article-51.aspx#.V1Fvrb6qGIQ

Dieter,
My sister bought some land in Philippines. She had a hard time saying it belongs to her then my mom went there and threatened them. They finally backed off.

CEBU International Airport harassing tourist... CEBU Airport NOT SAVE FOR BACKPACKERS... Apparently the staff including the airport manager are on a crusade to pay back to western tourist for what xenophobic western officials are doing to Filipinos traveling abroad... Apparently sex tourist are warmly welcomed as they bring the money... AVOID CEBU as entry point... there have been several cases of deportation of Americans, Europeans and Australians back to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. The Philippine government is well informed about the occurrences but has not moved a finger. Good luck with the paedophiles and the sex tourist! You will need it...

Hello guys.. If you looking a house and lot or condo or any property, dont hesitate to ask me about your concerns,, international property endorser living in cebu and i can discuss you about the probable cost of any property you want to buy.

Sun 09225159933
Landline (032) 231-2878

I have been coming to the PH for the past 10 years and have had my share of good and bad times too. In 2014, I moved to Cebu to live on my SS fund at $1400 per month. For myself, I can manage however, I make most all of my meals at home. When I first got here, I met a Pilipina from the internet (mistake) as she and an accomplice turned out to be scammers/gold diggers when they skillfully, her and her BF (she referred to as "cousin") kept pressuring me into purchasing a house and land. They kept saying: "You get nowhere renting." ~Really??? I lived in the US for 40+ yrs, married twice, bought 3 houses and I didn't know that! LOL!! But no foreigner - no matter what - CANNOT own land here in the Phils; at least not more than 40% -if you form a corporation. You can certainly buy - or shell-out the money for property - but the property has to be in a Pilipino's name. I don't operate well under pressure and ignored their pleas for the most part and within 3 weeks, I caught them together in the shower, so out they went with the garbage they were! :-]

This is an issue here as most all Pilipinos will side and adhere to their "fellow people," and very rarely will they be completely loyal to their foreigner partners. As it has been said here before, never trust anyone 100% and keep atop of all affairs -especially where your money is concerned! Also, it is true that the scammers, thieves, ripoffs are here and in abundance but pertaining to my prior sentence, be vigilant, and just use your common sense and act accordingly. Many times you can avoid an unfortunate occurrence but sometimes, they will get you. Once more, it is always best to travel with a Pilipino that you can trust to avoid most of the possible ripoffs and scams. The key here is you have to be able to trust them and that they will be loyal to you!

So on my $1400 SS budget, I can rent a new, 1 bedroom condo (52 sq meters), on the 25th floor, in a very good area of Cebu City (I.T. Park) at P17,000/mo (current exchange rate @$393/mo), unfurnished. Food at the many good quality grocery chains here (Metro, Rustans, SR, etc) around P10,000/mo (current exchange rate @231/mo), however, I buy a lot of organic and unprocessed foods though. Electric with A/C on "frugal/conservative temps" (81-83 F), new LG Ref, new Yamaha A/V Receiver and Samsung TV, new LG Washing Machine, Laptop Computer, new Phillips Induction Cooktop, Florescent lights, around P2,000-2,500/mo (current exchange rate @$46.30/mo - $58/mo). If my unit was furnished, it would run easily, P1,000-4,000 more per month (current exchange rate @$23/mo - $93/MO)! Add that up and it is cheaper to purchase your own energy efficient appliances and goods. Water is around P700/mo ($16/mo). Internet, which isn't slow, relatively fast and runs usually at 3G and 4G at P1,000/mo (current exchange rate @$24/mo). You won't find internet in the US for that great of a price!

I gave up internet dating and am currently taking my time to locate a "GOOD" "LOYAL," TRUSTWORTHY," Pilipina and it is hard because, many of them want to take you, an older man for your money and for acquiring their material trophies! ;-) But in all honesty, it is no different from any other 3rd world country in reality.

Just read that post about it all being that bad in cebu. I can not really agree on that. ...

I plan to live in the Phillipines with a Filipino woman. I'm looking for a mistress and not a wife. I will screw her every night and get her pregnant with many children.